Fire Starting Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a fire stating apparatus having a reloadable system of flammable, easily ignitable pellets. The system preferably comprises a hand held housing, with a trigger mechanism disposed on said housing and operably connected to a flame initiating component disposed inside said housing and positioned to eject ignitable pellets from the apparatus nearly simultaneously with the ignition of said pellets.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, generally, to the field of handheld apparatus to assist with igniting fires external to the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Initiation and control of fire is one of the oldest technologies known to humans and is arguably one of the most important technologies, in that nearly all modern machines owe either their existence or their operation in one way or another to humans' ability to control fire. Many devices for the initiation of a fire are known. These range from rubbing objects together to generate heat through friction, to the combination of chemicals to create a flame, to the use of electricity to generate heat or sparks.

A challenge facing some fire starting technology is the ephemeral nature of the physical entity created by the fire starting apparatus in the face of the resistance of certain target materials to flame. For example, starting a fire with a flint or with electrical sparks is difficult because the sparks created may cool before the material onto which the spark is directed ignites. Likewise, starting a fire by heating a material is difficult if sufficient temperature is not able to be maintained until the material ignites. Even devices that emit a flame, such a flame thrower or cigarette lighter, are only effective if the flame can be maintained in contact with the target material long enough for the material to ignite. Most often, the fire starting device continues to consume energy, whether in the firm of kinetic energy, chemical fuel, or electrical energy, throughout the time that the effort to ignite the target material is maintained. This, generally, also requires the user to continue to exert effort while waiting for the target material to ignite.

One approach that has been used in an attempt to address this issue is to combine the target material with accelerants or other target materials that ignite more easily. For example, materials that the user desires to burn may be covered in gasoline or mixed with more flammable materials, such as dried leaves. This approach makes starting a fire easier by decreasing the time and energy necessary for ignition. The ephemeral nature of the physical entity being used to create the fire remains an obstacle, if the entity is unable to be maintained long enough to cause ignition.

Another approach that has been used in an attempt to address the issues described above is to has been to arrange the target materials in a manner that protects a portion of the target area from the ambient conditions to slow the cooling or dispersal of the physical entity being used to create the fire.

The approaches described above are often cumbersome and do not lend themselves to easy operation, especially by a single user whose attention may be divided. Furthermore, the approaches described above are, generally, single-use approaches or are at least difficult to prepare for reuse.

There is, therefore, a need for a fire starting apparatus that dispenses material that has already been ignited and constructed in a manner designed to maintain the flame, especially a hand held apparatus capable of multiple use, single-handed operation, and easy reloading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hand held fire starting apparatus capable of being operated with one hand, dispensing a material that has already been ignited and that is constructed in a manner designed to maintain the flame until ignition of a target material, and having a fuel dispensing system that is both reusable and easily reloadable. The apparatus can include a triggering mechanism disposed on the outside of a housing and operably connected to an initiation device disposed within the housing. Depending upon the configuration of the housing, various safety mechanism may be in place to prevent accidental activation of either the triggering mechanism or the initiation device. Depending upon the configuration of the apparatus and the operating mode of both the triggering mechanism and the initiation device, the initiation device is configured to both ignite a flame in a fuel pellet and also to eject said fuel pellet from the apparatus. A plurality of said fuel pellets are present in the apparatus in a manner that stores them in a manner that operably isolates each fuel pellet from the remaining fuel pellets so that fire does not transfer from one fuel pellet to another, positions them for ignition and ejection, and automatically positions a new pellet after a pellet has been ejected from the apparatus. In one configuration of the apparatus, the new fuel pellet can be positioned manually, for example by rotating a cylinder, rather than being positioned automatically. Depending on the configuration of the apparatus, the fuel pellets may be present in a manner that is easily reloadable after fuel pellets are used and may be contained in a structure that is removable and replaceable with a structure that is loaded with new fuel pellets. Thus, the present invention creates a relatively durable flame expulsion from a hand held device that allows ignited flammable material to be relatively quickly ejected from the apparatus without the need for continued expenditure of energy and focus after the apparatus is triggered. The present invention further allows easy reloading of the apparatus to provide for repeat operation from a relatively compact device.

In one embodiment, present invention provides fuel pellets that contain a flammable material, such a paraffin, cotton, or wood particles, that have been coated in an accelerant or material with a low flash point lending itself to easy ignition, such as petroleum or alcohol. The best mode envisioned for such fuel pellets is a paraffin and petroleum combination, such as the Wetfire Tinder product produced by Ultimate Survival Technologies. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the material described herein are merely exemplary and that any combination of materials lending themselves to easy ignition and relative flame durability could be used as the base material or the coating. Said fuel pellets may be individually sealed such that the pellet is not directly exposed to the flame of a nearby ignited fuel pellet. In the preferred embodiment, the fuel pellets described herein are designed to be substantially entirely consumed by fire and do not have a substantial metal core that would remain after burning. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the fuel pellets are designed to be ejected from the apparatus, rather than being contained with propellant in a metal container that remains after the ejection. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that at least these two characteristics distinguish the fuel pellets herein from tracer rounds for artillery. The foregoing notwithstanding, some metal may be present in the fuel pellets to assist in igniting or maintaining the flame.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system containing a plurality of fuel pellets in a rotatable cylinder containing a plurality of chambers, each of which contains at least one fuel pellet. Said cylinder is operably connected to the trigger mechanism and the initiation device in a manner that causes of the cylinder to rotation upon the ejection of one of the fuel pellets. Such configurations are well known in the art, with example being provided in U.S. Pat. No. 158,957 to Mason entitled Revolving Fire-Arms or U.S. Pat. No. 9430X to Colt entitled Improvement in Fire-Arms. In another configuration of the apparatus, the new fuel pellet can be positioned manually, for example by rotating a cylinder, rather than being positioned automatically. Said chambers may be modified by adding structures to either end a chamber to prevent the fuel pellets from inadvertently leaving the chamber when the apparatus is not in operation. As used herein, such structures may be referred to as retention structures. Such chambers may also be modified by adding structures to either end of a chamber to prevent flame from the ignition of one fuel pellet igniting other fuel pellets. As used herein, such structures may be referred to an isolation structure. In some embodiments, a single structure may serve as both a retention structure and an isolation structure. For example, a film placed over both ends of a chamber would act both as a retention structure in that it would tend to keep the fuel pellet in the chamber and also as an isolation structure in that it would tend to contain a flame in a single chamber after ignition so that it does not transfer to fuel pellets in other chambers. Alternatively, a plurality of fuel pellets may be contained in a magazine structure such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,270 to Stoner entitled Ammunition Magazine with a Spring Coil. Said magazine structure could be modified by providing retention structures, isolation structures, and/or a separation structure designed to physically separate the fuel pellets. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the chambers, magazine structures, retention structures, isolation structures, and separation structures described herein are merely exemplary and that any structures tending to maintain the fuel pellets in position for use and also preventing the transfer of a flame from one fuel pellet to another may be used. The best mode envisioned includes a rotatable cylinder containing six chambers each containing one fuel pellet and have films covering both ends of the chamber. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that the chamber could be modified to facilitate ignition and burning of the fuel pellet. For example, in one embodiment, the chamber may have structures inside the chamber that are rubbed on by the passing rod from the initiating device to created additional friction against said rod and create more sparks. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this is only one example of such chamber modifications, and that the chamber can be modified in any way that might help to facilitate ignition of the fuel pellet.

In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a trigger mechanism disposed on the outside of the apparatus housing. Said trigger mechanism may be mechanical, electrical, biometric, or any other type of device that allows the users to activate the apparatus. For example, a mechanical trigger mechanism may be slideable, depressable, liftable, or rotatable. An electrical trigger mechanism may include any type of electrical switch or connection or transceiver. A biometric trigger mechanism may include a finger or palm printer reader or facial recognition. Trigger mechanisms of many kinds are well known in the art. Once of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the trigger mechanisms described above are merely exemplary and that any structure that allows the user to active that apparatus may be used as the trigger mechanism. The best mode envisions for the trigger mechanism is a slideable mechanical trigger that can be slid to toward the back end the housing with a single finger, preferably a thumb. The best mode further envisions safeguards on the trigger mechanism, such as an indirect or obstructed slide path, to help prevent inadvertent activation of the apparatus.

In one embodiment, the present invention also provides an initiation device operably connected to the trigger mechanism. Such connection may be through mechanical linkages, electronic wiring, electromagnetic signal transmission, or any other method of causing the initiation device to activate upon activation of the trigger mechanism. The initiation device is configured such that, upon activation, it ignites a fuel pellet and also ejects the fuel pellet from the apparatus. The best mode envisioned for the initiation device is a ferrocerium rod, such as that used in the BlastMatch product sold by Ultimate Survival Technologies, inside of the apparatus housing and connected to a spring such that upon activation the rod if propelled into the cylinder holding fuel pellets such that a pellet is ignited and pushed out the front of the apparatus housing. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the initiation device described herein is merely exemplary and that any device that would cause the fuel pellet both to ignite and to be ejected from the apparatus may be used as the initiation device.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a port for the fuel pellet the exit the apparatus. In the best mode envisioned for such port, the port is a passive opening the opening of the apparatus housing. Said port may also contain a small tube leading to the outer edge of the fuel cell chamber, to help direct the ejected fuel cell. Said port may also be covered to help protect the apparatus from the entry of foreign material and to help prevent blockage of the port. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the description for the port provided herein is merely exemplary and that any structure that would allow a fuel pellet to exit the apparatus may be used.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of the bottom view of the apparatus;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of the rear view of the apparatus;

FIG. 1C is an illustration of the front view of the apparatus;

FIG. 1D is an illustration of the top view of the apparatus;

FIG. 1E is an illustration of the side view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus, taken along the line Z-Z of FIG. 1E;

FIG. 3A illustrates the front view of one embodiment of a fuel cell cylinder; and

FIG. 3B illustrates the side view of one embodiment of a fuel cell cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a fire starting apparatus having an outer housing with a trigger mechanism disposed on the top of said housing, with such trigger mechanism being slideable through an obstructed indirect path to activate the apparatus. Said trigger mechanism being operably connected to an initiating device consisting of a ferrocerium rod propelled by a spring. Upon activation of the trigger mechanism, the initiating device is activated and moves forward into a chamber of a cylinder containing a parrifin-petroleum fuel pellet. The initiating device both generates sparks that ignite the fuel pellet and pushes the fuel pellet out of the apparatus. Upon being ignited, the flaming fuel pellet is ejected from the apparatus through a port in the housing.

The present invention is applicable for use in a number of applications where fire starting is required, and the present invention is particularly applicable to camping and outdoor survival scenarios. Therefore, for purposes of explanation and illustration, the present invention is hereafter described within the context of a camping application. It should be understood, however, that those of skill in the art will, upon reference to this description, be able to apply the principles and teachings of the present invention in a wide variety of fire starting applications—from military and industrial uses to indoor residential uses.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 1E, one embodiment of the present invention is provided as an illustrative example. For illustrative purposes, the relative size of components and the relative distances between components are not depicted to scale in FIGS. 1A through 1E. FIG. 1A depicts the bottom view of the apparatus housing 101 with the protrusion of the end of a tube through the port 102 visible on the front side. FIG. 1B depicts the rear view of the apparatus housing 101 with the trigger mechanism 104 visible on the top side. FIG. 1C depicts the front view of the apparatus housing 101 and depicts the port 102 and a port cover 103, with the trigger mechanism 104 visible on the top side. FIG. 1D depicts the top view of the apparatus housing 101 and depicts the trigger mechanism 104 with the groves 105 for its obstructed indirect slide path, and the end of a tube through the port 102 visible on the front side. With respect to the slide path 105, the path may involve more directional changes and may include directional changes perpendicular to the top side of the apparatus housing 101. FIG. 1E depicts the side view of the apparatus housing 101 with the trigger mechanism 104 visible on the top side and the end of a tube through the port 102 visible on the front side. FIG. 1E also depicts the axis Z-Z along with a cross section will be depicted in FIG. 2.

As depicted in FIGS. 1A through 1E, housing 101 comprises a simple enclosure inside of which and onto of which various components are disposed. In the preferred embodiment, a tube extends through port 102 and a port cover 103 configured as a flap attached on one edge to the housing 101 is provided to prevent blockage of port 102 and to the introduction of foreign material into the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the trigger mechanism 104 is a slideable mechanism that can be slide through an obstructed indirect slide path 105. In other embodiments, port 102 may not include a tube and port cover 103 may be omitted or given a different configuration. In other embodiments, trigger slide path 105 may be missing and trigger mechanism 104 may comprise a button, a lever, a liftable device, an electronic trigger, a biometric sensor, or any other trigger mechanism known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is presented as an illustrative example by a cross-sectional view made along the Z-Z axis depicted in FIG. 1E. In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 2 depicts an initiating device consisting a spring 201 operably connected to the trigger mechanism 104 and a ferrocerium rod 202. Upon activation of trigger mechanism 104, the initiating device is activated causing spring 201 to drive the ferrocerium rod 202 into a chamber 301 of cylinder 203, the chamber containing paraffin-petroleum fuel pellet 302. The ferrocerium rod 202 further drives fuel pellet 302 out of the apparatus through port tube 102. In other embodiments, cylinder 203 may be a magazine structure or any other structure that will hold a plurality of fuel pellets 302 in a manner that allows them to be ignited and ejected individually without causing ignition of multiple fuel pellets. Furthermore, in other embodiments, spring 201 can be replaced with any device that will drive the ferrocerium rod 202 into fuel pellet 302. Furthermore, in other embodiments, ferrocerium rod 202 can be replaced with any material or any device that will both ignite fuel pellet 202 and eject fuel pellet 202 from the apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one embodiment of the present invention is presented as an illustrative example. FIG. 3A depicts a the front view of one embodiment of a fuel cell cylinder. In one embodiment, the front and back views are substantially similar. FIG. 3A depicts six chambers 301, each containing a paraffin-petroleum fuel pellet 302. FIG. 3A also depicts a central axis 304 around which the cylinder rotates and six ratchet mechanisms 303 to rotate and reposition the cylinder 203 between each activation of the apparatus. FIG. 3B depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B shows a rear film 305 and a front film 306. The rear film 305 and front film 306 both serve simultaneously as both retention structures and isolation structures. In other embodiments, any number of chambers 301 may be present. Furthermore, in other embodiments, each chamber may contain a plurality of fuel pellets 302. Furthermore, in other embodiments, ratchet mechanisms 303 may be replaced with any device that will reposition the cylinder between activations of the apparatus. Furthermore, in other embodiments, either rear film 305 and front film 306, or both, may be removed or may be replaced with any structure or combination of structures capable of serving as either retention or isolation structures. Furthermore, as described above, in other embodiments, cylinder 203 may be a magazine structure or any other structure that will hold a plurality of fuel pellets 302 in a manner that allows them to be ignited and ejected individually without causing ignition of multiple fuel pellets. Such a magazine structure may also employ retention, isolation, or separation structures either individually or in combination.

As depicted, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus is of the size and shape to be fit in one hand with the trigger mechanism being operable the thumb of the same hand. In other embodiments, however, the apparatus may be of any size and may require more than one hand or more than one person to operate.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire starting apparatus, comprising: a housing; a port; a trigger mechanism, operably connected to an initiating device; a cylinder having a plurality of chambers, each containing a fuel pellet; wherein the initiating device, cylinder, and port are relatively positioned such that the initiating device may drive into a cylinder, thereby igniting the fuel pellet, and ejecting the ignited fuel pellet from the apparatus through the port.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein trigger mechanism is a mechanical sliding mechanism.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mechanical sliding mechanism is configured to be slid along an obstructed indirect path.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retaining structure.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an isolation structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is an electronic switch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is a biometric sensor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tube extending from the near the cylinder through the port.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a port cover.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initiating device is a driver operably connected to a ferrocerium rod.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the driver is a spring.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel pellets comprise paraffin and petroleum products.
 13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the retaining structure is a film.
 14. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the isolation structure is a film.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber is a magazine structure.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a separation structure.
 17. A fire starting apparatus, comprising: a housing; a port; a trigger mechanism, operably connected to an initiating device; a cylinder having a plurality of chambers, each containing a fuel pellet; a retaining structure; a port cover; wherein the trigger mechanism is a mechanical sliding mechanism; wherein the initiating device is a driver operably connected to a ferrocerium rod; wherein the retaining structure is a film; wherein the fuel pellet comprises paraffin and petroleum products; wherein the initiating device, cylinder, and port are relatively positioned such that the initiating device may drive into a cylinder, thereby igniting the fuel pellet, and ejecting the ignited fuel pellet from the apparatus through the port.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fuel pellet is substantially entirely consumable by fire.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of the chambers of the cylinder have structures assist in igniting the fuel pellet.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism to reposition the cylinder after the ejection of a fuel pellet so that a new fuel pellet is present. 